The Dion Guagliardo Podcast

In this episode, I interview Julie Mathers. Julie is the founder of Flora and Fauna, which is a successful beauty and personal care e-commerce brand that was voted number one in e-commerce in 2019 and 2021. The business recently sold for around $30 million last year. Not long after the sale, Julie has since gone on to acquire her new project, a baby wear brand Snuggle Hunny. Throughout this episod...

In this episode, I interview Mick Liubinskas. This is a very special episode as Mick was our very first guest on the podcast. While we covered his career in tech last time, this episode we focus on his latest venture - Climate Salad. Climate Salad is a fast-growing ecosystem for climate technology entrepreneurs, investors and supporters. Mick discusses the urgency of Climate action and the rapidly...

In this episode, I interview Jon Gregory, founder of Vitruvian. Vitruvian is a fitness technology company that is famous for their “Trainer+” device. This device is a smart resistance training system that uses artificial intelligence to adjust weight dynamically to provide the perfect workout for the user. Since 2018, Jon and his team have raised $35 million to commercialize the technology and bri...

In this episode, I interview Cameron Falloon - founder of Body Fit Training. Body Fit Training is Australia's fastest growing fitness franchise with hundreds of locations across the world and revenue of over $120 million.  It was really interesting to hear the strategies that Cameron and the company implemented throughout tough times such as Covid. Through perseverance and looking after key s...

In this episode, I interview Tim Fung, co-founder of Airtasker. Airtasker is Australia’s largest online marketplace that connects local community members to freelancers and small businesses. The company has been massively successful since it’s initial launch in 2011 with a current valuation of over $160 million and an employee count of over 300.  It was very interesting to hear the struggles that...

In this episode, I interview Kristy Chong – founder of Modibodi. Kristy started the business in 2013 after 2 years of R&D before ultimately selling the business this year for $140m to a Swedish multinational. This is a fascinating interview. Kristy talks in depth about how the business started from simply trying to solve a common problem women face that was previously a taboo. But in the proce...

In this episode, I interview Nick Hazell - founder of v2food. v2food is one of Australia's largest producers of plant-based meat. After raising over 180 million since 2019, v2 has made strides to revolutionise the meat industry with a focus on maintaining flavour, nutrition and sustainability. The company is also famous for providing the patty for Hungry Jacks plant-based "Rebel Whopper&...

In this episode of the Dion Guagliardo Podcast, I interview Graeme Goldman - executive chairman at Clark Rubber. Clark Rubber is an iconic Australian retailer that was founded in 1946 which is famous for selling pools, foam and rubber products. Graeme is an entrepreneur with over 30 years of experience growing businesses from startups to internationally listed corporations. Throughout this episode...

In this episode, I interview Phil Morle - partner at Main Sequence Ventures. Phil is a prominent name in the venture capital ecosystem who's well known for co-founding Australia's first start-up incubator - Pollenizer. From its foundation in 2008, Pollenizer went on to help hundreds of ideas turn into real businesses including Spreets which was founded and sold within 12 months for $40 m...

In this episode, I interview Jalal Shaik - founder and managing director of GAMEFACE.AI. GAMEFACE.AI is a real-time sports analytics company that leverages artificial intelligence and machine learning to provide key insights and analytics from the match. Founded in 2015, Jalal and his co-founder James grew the business from the StartMate accelerator program all the way to recently exiting to Sling...

In this episode, I interview Brian Sullivan - managing director at Sullivan Property Consultants (SPC). SPC is a property investment, development and management group specialising in the retail, commercial and industrial sector in Western Australia. Started in 2010, Brian grew the business from the ground up using his vast experience in property investment. It was interesting to hear Brian's...

In this episode, I interview Ken McKenzie, the former managing director, publisher and owner of Media and Marketing Limited based in Hong Kong. Ken worked his way up from copy-boy at a local newspaper in rural Australia to becoming the owner of one of Asia Pacific's largest and most trusted publications. Ken went on to sell Media and Marketing Limited to return home to Gunnedah and purchase N...

In this episode, I interview Domenic Lo Surdo, the founder of Stamford Capital. Stamford Capital provides property developers and investors with access to a broad range of financing options and advice to ensure their transaction is successful.  Founded in 2011, Dominic grew the business in the aftermath of the GFC into a successful provider of finance amounting to billions of dollars in transactio...

In this episode, we have Cameron Schwab, founder of Design CEO. Cameron is a leadership coach and strategist. He was appointed the CEO of the famous Richmond football club at the age of 24 and the youngest in the history of the game. For the next 25 years, he was the CEO of Richmond, Melbourne, and Freemantle when those clubs were at their lowest ebb, both on and off the field. He's the secon...

In this episode, I interview Pamela Jabbour - founder of Total Image Group. Total Image Group is Australia's leading uniform and work wear specialists with a strong focus on fashion and design. Founded in 2005, Pamela got her first few clients by cold calling 100 people per day for an entire year. Alongside kickstarting her business, this process refined the business' strategy as Pamela...

In this episode, I interview my Dad! Jim Guagliardo grew up in rural WA in Geraldton. We discussed a variety of topics from his experience with running an earth moving and gas business, being frugal during tough economic times and important life lessons. Hope you enjoy. Feel free to share with family and friends. Happy Father's Day to everyone for this Sunday!  Share the episode:  https://the...

In this episode, I interview Jack Gance, the billionaire co-founder of Chemist Warehouse. Chemist Warehouse is one of Australia’s largest privately owned companies with over 550 stores and $7 billion a year in sales. It’s not hard to see why Jack is a permanent fixture on the Financial Review Rich List with a personal fortune of $1.57b.   It was fantastic to have Jack on the show to hear his insig...

In this episode, I interview Rhian Allen - founder of The Healthy Mummy. The Healthy Mummy is a business that helps busy mums stay fit through workout programs, health products and lifestyle content. Founded in 2010, Rhian grew the business over 12 years to now employ 150 people and have 1.5 million mums in their community. Rhian recently sold the business to Halo Food Co for $17 million.  It was...

In this episode, I interview Ben Bromhead - co-founder of Instacluster. Instacluster is a data management company for tech firms all around the world. Founded in 2012 by Ben and his three co-founders, the team managed to grow the company from a bootstrap startup all the way to a successful international tech firm that now employs over 200 people. The firm was recently acquired for over $500 millio...

In this episode, I interview Frank Buontempo - Co-Founder of Roma Foods. Roma Foods is Australia's largest manufacturer of gluten and allergen-free food products with a range of household brands such as Orgran, BuonTempo and Splits. Founded in 1953, the family have grown the business to exceed over $35m annual revenue, exports to 70 countries and now employs over 100 people.  It was very inte...

In this episode, I interview Stephen Hunt - founder of Hunt Hospitality. Starting from a $100 Backyard Bar, Stephen grew his business over 20 years to now be a multi-venue empire worth over $100 million.   Stephen has recently launched his new book, "Find, Build, Sell". The book explains the process of finding your passions, building up your business and selling product and yourself to r...

In this episode, I interview Alex Logan - co-founder of Cecil. Cecil is a climate tech start-up that builds software solutions for businesses that have potential impact on climate change mitigation.  While they're still early in development, Cecil raised $2.2 million last year and are growing rapidly. Primarily, Cecil is an online platform that connects project developers, investors and land...

In this episode, I interview Mark Carnegie, one of Australia's most successful business people. With over 30 years experience as an entrepreneur, investor and corporate advisor in New York, London and Sydney, Mark founded M.H. Carnegie & Co in 2011 an alternative asset manager currently managing committed funds in excess of $900 million. It was very interesting to hear Mark's thought...

In this episode, I interview Greg Schneider, co-founder of Quantium. Founded in 2002, the business has grown to become one of the leading data science and AI firms in Australia, employing 1,000 people. Following a recent equity investment from Woolworths, the company is now valued at over $900 million. Greg's views on how data and AI will revolutionise the customer experience over the next de...

In this episode, I interview Steve Weston , founder of Volt Bank . Founded in 2018, Volt Bank has grown to employ over 100 people and have raised over $200 million in capital to create an exciting and disruptive FinTech startup taking on the big 4 banks. Steve provided very interesting insights into the importance of people and culture in the business world as well as how, starting from humble beg...